Do any of you guys buy and hold gold?

[Ryan Dossey]

I have a wealthy friend who owns numerous businesses. He is a hardcore believer in stock piling gold. Anyone here mess with it? 

[Jeff Rabinowitz]

Gold and silver do not provide protection in an end of the world scenario. If that is your fear you should stock food and lead. Precious metals provide protection during financial crises and monetary collapse. These have occurred periodically throughout history. Currencies can be devalued. Bank accounts can be frozen or seized. The metal you own will always weigh the same amount (if you take care to keep it out of fires, acid or the like). It has often behaved as an alternative currency during troubled times. Will it again? I don't know. The world is full of central bankers who believe they can control the economy. I don't think they can. I would be thrilled if we never have another financial crisis but I expect we will. I hold some metal as insurance.